The Week 2009
Day 1 – Roadmap for Success seminar
The Cartier Awards week 2009 started with the Entrepreneurship Workshops hosted by the dynamic and experienced coaches of ThousandSeeds. These workshops, called Roadmap for Success seminars, are designed to stimulate the finalists and get them thinking about their projects from a higher perspective. “The whole workshop was amazing. It gave us a chance to share and learn more about each other. An opportunity to connect, learn and stop and think,” said Rosario Monteverde.
Day 2 – Seminar and off to Deauville!
After the morning workshop, a lunch was organized with the press interested in learning more about the projects of the finalists. This unique opportunity to pitch to the media was not taken for granted by the finalists who happily explained their inspiration behind their companies, the challenges and rewards of being a woman entrepreneur and the impact their projects aim to have. In the afternoon, the group then left Paris for Deauville for the all-important Jury Meeting.
Day 3 – Meeting with the Jury
The Jury meeting represents the highlight of the competition for many finalists. It’s the much awaited moment when they finally confront the Jury. Each of the finalists presents her business to her continental Jury panel. For the Jury Members, the meetings last a full afternoon.“It is always hard to choose between the three projects of each category, as they all come together in their desire to bring not just prosperity, but change” said Loic Sadoulet, Jury Member for Africa.
Day 4 – Opening of the Women’s Forum
Today the fifth Women’s Forum opened on the theme of “Think ahead, think again”. In the light of the financial crisis, participants were encouraged to question their presuppositions about progress, relationships and responsibility. The finalists were presented during a “meet with” session on the Cartier corner and heard inspiring talks by speakers such as Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director, World Bank, Nigeria whom we were able to introduce to our Nigerian entrepreneurs Jife and Adeola.
The Fifth Edition of the Women’s ForumDay 5 – Awards Ceremony
The results of the 2009 competition were finally revealed on the second day of the Women’s Forum during a moving Awards Ceremony. “When I saw Audur Capital on the screen, I couldn’t believe it! We met so many amazing women, it was a real surprise and such an honour! “ said Halla and Kristin, founders of Audur Capital from Iceland. Next up: Jife and Adeola from Nigeria, Rosario and Magdalena from Uruguay, Una from the United States and Kimberley from Singapore. Congratulations to all the Laureates!
Ceremony VideoDay 6 – Closing Day of the Women’s Forum
The morning started with the feedback session with the Jury. This private and individual discussion with the Jury is the opportunity for the finalists and Laureates to understand the motivations behind the Jury’s selection. At the Women’s Forum, the program continued with sessions on science and technology but also culture with speakers like Irina Bokova, Director General-designate of UNESCO. Early afternoon, it is already time to say goodbye. “I have been encouraged and inspired and most importantly equipped with useful entrepreneurial skills. We’re all winners!” said Elizabeth Campillo from Mexico.
